By George Bukenya
The Uganda Police Force has arraigned a safari company Director over allegations of defrauding foreign tourists of more than USD $37,000 through fake safari bookings, warning that such fraudulent practices threaten the country’s tourism industry by undermining the confidence of international visitors.
The suspect is identified as Annet Tusuubira, the proprietor and operator of Tubale Safaris ltd was committed to court on allegations of obtaining money by false pretence after allegedly receiving payments from foreign tourists for safari trips she failed to provide.
Speaking to news reporters at Naguru based Police Headquarters on Monday, Rusoke Kituuma the Forces Spokesperson revealed that the suspect was arrested on October 30 by officers from Jinja Central Police Station following complaints from tourists who had paid for safari bookings through the company’s website, email and WhatsApp but did not receive the agreed services.
According to police, investigations established several complaints involving tourists who allegedly lost substantial amounts of money in separate transactions.
On July 18, the suspect allegedly obtained approximately US $12,000 from a foreign tourist from United Kingdom in a transaction and the case was reported to Masindi Police Station.
On July 31, she allegedly received another US $6,400 also from a British tourist, with the complaint reported to Entebbe Central Police Station.
While on August 19, the suspect is also said to have obtained US $12,966 from an American couple, in a case reported to Pakwach Police Station.
The latest reported incident occurred on October 30, when she allegedly received another US $6,228, with the matter reported also to Entebbe Police station.
The four reported transactions according to the police’s mouth piece Rusoke amount to approximately USD $37,594.
Rusoke said the cases highlight the growing danger posed by individuals who exploit digital platforms to deceive unsuspecting tourists seeking safari and travel services in Uganda.
He warned that such fraudulent activities threaten the country’s tourism sector because they destroy the trust international visitors place in Ugandan tour operators and service providers.
Police further revealed that the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) withdrew Tuwale Safaris’ operating license on July 21, 2026. However, the operator allegedly continued advertising safari services, accepting bookings and receiving payments even after the withdrawal of the license.
Police have called upon anyone who may have been defrauded by Tuwale Safaris to report to the Uganda Police Force or the nearest police station to support ongoing investigations.
Affected individuals have been advised to provide relevant evidence, including booking confirmations, payment records, email exchanges, WhatsApp conversations and other documents that could assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud.
Rusoke also urged foreign tourists and other travelers planning to visit Uganda to exercise caution when making online safari bookings, particularly through websites and social media platforms.
He advised prospective clients to first verify whether a tour operator is legitimately registered and licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board before making any payments.
Tourists were also encouraged to ensure that the business name appearing on booking documents matches the operator’s official licensing details, warning that some fraudulent operators use business identities and online information resembling those of legitimate companies to mislead customers.
He further advised travelers to demand written itineraries, clear breakdowns of costs, payment terms, cancellation policies and refund conditions before committing their money.
He emphasised the importance of using traceable payment methods and keeping transaction receipts, noting that such records are particularly important when reporting suspected fraud and supporting police investigations.
He cautioned that many of these transactions take place in digital spaces, where tourists may have no direct physical interaction with the individuals receiving their money, making it difficult to establish the legitimacy of the service providers before falling victim.
Police urged tourists to consult the Uganda Tourism Board’s official website for information on licensed tourism operators rather than relying solely on advertisements and information shared through online platforms.
The Spokesperson said simple verification measures could help prevent fraud, protect visitors and safeguard Uganda’s reputation as a tourism destination.
He urged members of the public and international visitors to remain vigilant when dealing with online travel agencies and safari operators, warning that failure to verify a company’s legitimacy could leave victims facing financial losses and the difficult process of seeking police intervention.